Sport sports betting industry wants to protect itself
16 September 2010
By Bill Wilson
Business press reporter, BBC News
sports betting on sport is big service.
Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related gaming in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.
And that figure is most likely to have grown further, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.
Meanwhile, German research company Sport & Markt approximates the general global gaming market will be worth 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gaming.
But when the stability of events are struck the gambling market suffers, and earnings are put under risk if customers can not wager with confidence.
And there can have been couple of higher-profile sport wagering stories than those impacting cricket and snooker this year.
High-profile
As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting market now.
"Not only is it a considerable market in world service, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."
Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by cops over spot-fixing accusations connecting to a test against England at Lord's last month.
Three of these players have actually said they will also challenge the corruption charges installed versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.
Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champion John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned recently for 6 months for stopping working to report the unlawful approach to him to toss frames.
There are likewise two other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.
'Honest'
David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, one of the UK's most significant online sporting exchanges.
"If the sport is perceived as truthful, straight and fair that benefits wagering companies since people will spend cash wagering with self-confidence," he says.
"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed wagering industry ... it is not actually a positive story for sports betting in the UK.
"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we might need to be mindful about'."
'Education'
So what can be done to avoid future scandals?
According to professionals at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting gambling, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.
As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation mentions: "The only people who can repair a match are the rivals or the referee."
His organisation represents males and ladies in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all player organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.
He believes that it is not enough to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to take on prospective issues around gamers is also through education.
Mr Taylor says rules require to be discussed plainly to gamers with clear examples, and by people they appreciate.
"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance integrity which is in everyone's interest," he adds.
"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."
'Brand damage'
Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal guidance at the Football Association, concurs.
"Prevention is much better than remedy, and we likewise make a point of telling players 'you are going to be caught'."
"It is important that sport is directly, and is seen to be directly," he adds.
"If it loses that then individuals do not wish to wager, that is not in gaming companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."
He stated that as soon as a great track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".
FA rules mean players are not allowed to bet on a competitors in which they are included.
Mr Johnson states players have actually to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside understanding, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.
So, even a Second Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the fall can not bank on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.
"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he states. "Once confidence has actually been harmed it is difficult to get it back - mud sticks."
'Overwhelmingly legal'
If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".
The Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage commercial sports betting in Great Britain.
An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread wagering, which is the remit of the FSA.
"The overwhelming majority of sports betting happening through UK operators is legal and reasonable," he says.
"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly interfere with the result of a sporting occasion.
"Such unfaithful has the possible to weaken the integrity of a sport, and it also damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting."
The commission has actually developed an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate information to sporting authorities, wagering companies and policing authorities.
"Since 2007 we have experienced a significant insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.
"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to help prevent or cut [unlawful] activity"
In May 2010, the commission also presented a private telephone hotline for those with information or suspicions.
'Vulnerabilities'
But in a two-and-a-half year period there has been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old male who was warned for unfaithful in relation to greyhound racing.
However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 ongoing investigations, and that much useful details has actually likewise been passed to sports betting authorities.
He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more cost reliable, then the commission would think about discontinuing a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".
Meanwhile, he says much of those seeking to cheat the sports betting industry were well-informed about sports betting and sporting individuals, and about wagering operations and the motion of money.
"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their enterprises."
Related internet links
World sports betting Law Report
ICC
Professional Players Federation
Professional Footballers' Association
The FA
Betfair
Sport & Markt
BLP
Gambling Commission
